Glossary
Index:

A

Aerial
Above the ground
Alteratives
Substances known to alter and improve the condition of the blood. Commonly called blood purifiers. Examples: Dandelion Leaf and Root, Echinacea, Red Clover
Analgesics/Anodynes
Substances that relieve pain. Examples: Skullcap, Valerian, Lobelia, Cloves
Annual
That which completes its life cycle within one year
Antacids
Substances which help to counteract acidity in the stomach and intestines. Examples: Fennel Seed, Dandelion Root and Leaf
Anther
The end part of a stamen containing the pollen grains
Antiasthmatics
Substances which relieve the symptoms of asthma. Examples: Lobelia, Mullein, Comfrey Leaf and Root
Anticatarrhals
Substances which help to eliminate excess mucous buildup. Examples: Cayenne, Ginger, Sage, Garlic, Mullein, Yarrow
Anti-inflammatory
A substance which reduces inflammation by helping the body to overcome the problem. Examples: White Poplar, Wild Yam
Antispasmodics
Substances that reduce muscle spasm.
Antiseptic
Substance that kills or inhibits the growth of germs which cause infection or disease. Examples: Garlic, Myrrh, Sage
Astringents
Substances which tighten skin and shrink blood vessels, thus reducing blood flow and mucous discharge or secretions. Examples: Bayberry Bark, Witch Hazel Bark, Uva Ursi

B

Biennial
That which completes its life cycle within two years. For example, a biennial plant produces leaves the first year and flowers and fruits the second year prior to dying.
Bitters
Substances which help tone the digestive system and promote appetite. Bitters work through the tastebuds and cause the secretion of digestive juices. Examples: Golden Seal, Horehound, Wormword.

C

Carminatives
Substances known to assist the digestive process and aid in the release of gas from the alimentary canal. Examples: Anise, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Ginger, Chamomile, Peppermint.
Compress
A cloth soaked in hot or cold water, or herb tea, and applied to the body. A hot compress is also called a fomentation.
Constituents
A component part of something.

D

Decoction
An extract of water soluble constituents made by simmering plant parts from 20 minutes up to an hour. This method of extraction is used for stems, barks, roots and/or any plant part for which more effort is required to draw out constituents.
Demulcents
Substances rich in mucilage which soothe irritated or inflamed surfaces. Used internally. Examples: Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Chickweed, Aloe Vera, Mullein, Oatmeal.
Diaphoretics
Substances which induce sweating when taken hot. Examples: Yarrow, Catnip, Ginger, Peppermint.
Diuretics
Substances which stimulate an increase in the production and flow of urine, resulting in increased elimination of water from the body. Examples: Cornsilk, Dandelion, Parsley, Yarrow.

E

Emmenagogues
Herbs that help to promote menstrual flow. Example: Rue, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Angelica.
Emolients
Substances that soften and soothe the skin. Used externally.
Expectorants
Substances which aid in the expulsion of mucous from the lungs and throat.

F

Female flower
A flower with a pistil (the female organ) but no stamens (male organs).
Filament
A thin stalk below the anther in a stamen.
Fomentation
An external application of herbs prepared by making an herbal tea, dipping an absorbent cloth into the tea, and applying it to the affected area at as warm a temperature as possible without burning the skin. Fomentations
are used to treat swellings, pains, colds, and flus.

G

Galactagogues
Substances that stimulate milk production. Examples: Fennel, Fenugreek, Aniseed, Rasberry.
Genera
Plural of genus. Genera are grouped into families.
Genus
A category of biological classification comprising closely related but distinct organisms usually consisting of several species. They are given a common name. The first word in the scientific name is the genus.

H

Hemostatics
Substances which help stop bleeding. Examples: Cayenne, Yarrow, Golden Seal, White Oak Bark.
Hepatics
Substances that aid, tone, and strengthen the liver. Examples: Dandelion, Oregon Grape Root, Golden Seal.

I

Infusion
An extract of water soluble constituents made by pouring water that has been brought to a boil over plant parts and covering tightly with a lid. The plant parts are not boiled but are allowed to steep for approximately 15-20 minutes.

J

Jaundice
A yellowish discoloration of the skin and the sclera (white) of the eyes, usually caused by bile pigment in the blood.
Joint
The place where two things (two bones, for example) join together.

K

Kilogram
A metric unit of weight equal to 1000 grams. (2.2 pounds)

L

Laxative
A substance that promotes bowel movement. Examples: Flaxseed, Senna pods, Rhubarb root

M

Mucilage
A gelatinous substance found in certain plants.
Mucous membrane
Moist lining of the nose, throat, and other body cavities and passages, including the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Mucus
Slimy substance which moistens and protects the mucous membrane.

N

Nausea
A feeling of sickness.
Nervines
Substances that strengthen and tone the nervous system. They may be calming or stimulating. Examples: Catnip, Chamomile, Peppermint, Skullcap, Valerian.

O

Odd Pinnate
A pinnate with an odd number of leaves caused by a terminal leaflet.
Ovary
The seedbox of the female organ (pistil).
Oxidation
A chemical breakdown of nutrients for energy.

P

Pectorals
Substances which tone the respiratory system. Examples: Comfrey, Licorice, Mullein.
Pinnate
Having similar parts arranged on each side of a common stalk.
Pistil
The female organ of a flower consisting of an ovary, a style, and a stigma which becomes the fruit after fertilization.
Poultice
An external application of herbs applied directly to the skin. Fresh herbs are usually macerated and dried herbs/powders made into a paste with the addition of some water prior to use. Poultices are used to relieve inflammation, to draw out toxins or foreign bodies in the skin, to treat bites and stings, etc.

Q

Quinine
A drug made from the bark of a cinchona tree used to treat colds, fevers, and malaria.

R

Receptacle
The uppermost part of the stem supporting the flower parts.
Rhizome
A root-like plant stem that forms shoots above and roots below.
Rosette
A circular cluster of leaves, usually at the base of a stem.
Rubefacients
Substances which, when applied to the skin, stimulate blood flow to the skin and result in surface warmth. Examples: Cayenne, Clove, Mustard, Ginger.

S

Sedatives
Substances that relieve tension throughout the body. Examples: Valerian, Chamomile, Skullcap.
Sepal
An outer flower leaf. It is usually green but may be like the petal itself. All of the sepals comprise the calyx.
Species
A closely related group of organisms potentially able to breed with one another. The second word of the scientific name is the species.
Stamen
The male organ of a plant. It has a filament and a pollen-producing anther at its tip.
Stem
The main axis of a plant bearing the leaves, buds, and flowers.
Stigma
The tip of the pistil which receives the pollen. It is sometimes sticky or feathery.
Stimulant
Substance which temporarily increases the physiological function of an organism or any of its parts. Examples: Cayenne, Ginger, Peppermint, Sage, Mustard, Horseradish.
Style
The part of the pistil (female organ of a flower) which connects the ovary and the stigma.
Sudorific
A diaphoretic.

T

Tincture
A medicinal extract in a solution of water, alcohol, alcohol and water, glycerin, or vinegar.
Tonics
Substances which nourish and support a target organ and/or the whole body in general. Examples: Ginseng, Nettle, Dandelion.

U

Urinary
Having to do with the organs that secrete and discharge urine.
Urinalysis
Analysis of a urine sample.

V

Vulnerary
A substance which assists the healing of wounds through cell growth and repair. Examples: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Plantain, St. John's Wort.

W

Whorl
A circle of leaves or flowers around the stem of a plant.

X

X-rays
Rays with extremely short wave lengths that can penetrate substances. They are used to locate broken bones, bullets or other objects lodged in the body, and to diagnose and treat certain diseases.

Y

Yucca
A plant with sword-shaped leaves and large, white flowers clustered on a tall stalk.

Z

Zanjabeel
The Arabic word for ginger.